lapbanders & frequency of Dexa Scans?

How often do the rest of you have Dexa scans (for those who need them)?  Do you do anything to help promote healthy bones other than take calcium and exercise?

My radiologist says to scan every 2 years, but I'm wondering if I need them yearly.  I think I picked up the information somewhere that people who've had malabsorptive surgeries (RNY, DS, etc.) need to have them yearly, but not clear on the protocol for bandsters.

My very first Dexa scan was in the fall of 2007 not long after my hysterectomy and since I was too obese for the table, they scanned my wrist.  At that time they thought I might have osteopenia, but couldn't be certain because they really needed to scan my hips.

Early in 2009, I was banded and by the fall of 2009 had lost enough weight that they could scan my hips.  I don't remember all of the numbers, but I do recall my hips being at 115%.

I managed to get my next Dexa scan done a little bit early in March of this year, having lost another significant amount of weight, and now my hips show 95%.  I've lost 20% of my bone density.  Radiologist says it would be much worse if I wasn't lifting weights 3x week.

I take Calcium Citrate 1500mg in divided doses 3x day and Vit. D3 (5000 iu) daily and continue to lift weights and am trying to increase my weights just a hair (currently am squatting 40lbs and can barely get that much up on my shoulders).  Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on anything else I could or should be doing. 

I'm not on any hormone replacement (hyst was complete..also taking ovaries) as I had very early cancer and my oncologist doesn't want me on systemic hormones.  I don't know what role estrogen plays in bone density.

Thanks for any feedback.

I've never had one, but I'm going to be calling my doctors office so she can schedule one for me.

Lisa -

I had one at age 50 (normal) and need to have another one (I just turned 53).

I don't think that we are at any higher risk with our bands than without them, but in your case, I would definitely schedule one so you can get the whole body scan.

I was told years ago that obese patients are less at risk than non-obese because we add bone mass to carry our large amount of weight.

Keep us posted when you get one scheduled.

I was just telling my husband yesterday that I need to schedule a mammo, dexa and endoscopy -- just to check things out and make sure that all is well.
Going to recheck blood work also (particularly D and PTH and Calcium)

Kath, I already had this years.. in March.   That's the one that shows me with bone density of 95% in my hips versus the 115% I had in the fall of 2009.

They don't scan the whole body for a Dexa scan, they do the hips and lumbar spine.  At least that's the case at our hospital.  I don't know enough to know if the whole body is done other places, but I doubt it. 

Yeah, I need to schedule lab work with my PCP.. have been putting it off.  No good reason, just inertia.

I had a Dexascan with "normal" range results about 10 yrs ago (before my hysterectomy and before my band surgery) and another one after my band surgery (maybe 2 yrs ago) that indicated I have osteopenia. My GYN says that my exercise routine (including weights/resistance training) is great and told me to increase my calcium supplement dose. She doesn't attribute the osteopenia to my weight loss but rather to my age. I'll be interested to see the results of my next dexascan.

There is a medication you can take to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis. It's called Evista and as far as I can recall, it doesn't contain hormones. You might want to talk to your doc about whether Evista would be appropriate for you.

Jean

I will be 58 this year.  Had my bone scan in 2009, 2 yrs after lapband and my last scan.  My doctor said I had lost some bone density so he prescribed Vitamin D 1000iu daily.  Of course he encouraged me to ride my bike more too.